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Updated: Oct 25, 2025

Author Spotlight: Achieving High-Purity In Vitro Differentiation of Th17 Cells Using Cytokine Concentration Modulation
Published on: October 25, 2024
Interleukin-17A (IL-17A): A silent amplifier of COVID-19
Francesco Maione1, Gian Marco Casillo1, Federica Raucci1
1Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Abstract:
One of the hallmarks of COVID-19 is the cytokine storm that provokes primarily pneumonia followed by systemic inflammation. Emerging evidence has identified a potential link between elevated interleukin-17A (IL-17A) levels and disease severity and progression. Considering that per se, IL-17A can activate several inflammatory pathways, it is plausible to hypothesize an involvement of this cytokine in COVID-19 clinical outcomes. Thus, IL-17A could represent a marker of disease progression and/or a target to develop therapeutic strategies. This hypothesis paper aims to propose this "unique" cytokine as a silent amplifier of the COVID-19 immune response and (potentially) related therapy.
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